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Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Tips and Technique: Mixed Media Tag

Hi Helen here today. I would like to share with you a mixed media tag. I have been making tags for my 2016 Tag Ring and this one of them :)

This is a photo tutorial with steps. I hope you can be inspired! Let's get started.

First cut the tag. I used Canson Watercolor Paper 140 lbs. If you have heavy weight cardstock that is minumum 100 lbs, that would work too. I prep the tag with clear gesso. Then I added the modeling paste with stencil. I made my own modeling paste that you can find the recipe here. While it was drying, I worked on the alphas.

I cut out the alphabets that I wanna use on the tag. If you do not have die-cutting machine to cut out your alphabets, you can use chipboards. On the mixing palate plate, I mixed Gold Metalic and Glitter Acrylic Paints.

Then I dipped the alpha one by one try to cover it half of it. Do not need to look perfect. Imperfect is the best. Then set them aside to dry. Acrylic paint dries quick.

When the tag was dry completely, I added the left over paint on the tag with foam brush. Look at that shine from the metallic and glitter paint. To know if the embossed background is dry well, try touch the embossed stenciled, if it is still puffy, try to dry it with Craft Heater for speedy drying.

Next step is to add more texture on the tag with stamps. Using StazOn ink, I stamped the script background randomly. Any Archival Inks will work too. Just to make sure your Archival ink will work well with water.

This is when the first step prepping the tag with gesso will worth it. Gelatos will work well on prep surface. I added some of the Gelatos on the tag and just using my fingers to mix them until I like the look.

I added more texture on the tag with background stamp and StazOn ink pad.

Then I added some splatter with watercolor paint. This is why I mentioned before to make sure your Archival Ink will work well with water.

Work on the tag while waiting for the tag to dry. Stamp the word you choose on the tag. I used Alphabet stamps for my word. I used Distress Ink for distress and vintage look. After I stamped them, I spray some water, but not too much.

Then using Mod Podge, I added the painted alphabets on the tag and seal it on top of it.

Then I added the tag at the bottom of it with the tag with Mod Podge and mini stapler at the other end.

Then I added some die-cut feathers that I have painted. Added them on the tag with some mini staplers.

The tag is done. I hope you all can be inspired to create a project with this technique. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below and I will my best to answer them :)